Essential Elements of a Corn Snake Habitat – Make the Best Home!

IN THIS ARTICLE

• What Is the Natural Habitat of Corn Snakes?
• Essential Elements of a Corn Snake Terrarium
• Lighting in a Corn Snake Terrarium
• Behavioral Considerations in Terrarium Setup
• Maintenance of a Corn Snake Terrarium
• Cultivate a Healthy Environment for Your Corn Snake with a Quality Cage
• FAQs

Corn snakes are characterized by their thin orange bodies with striking black and reddish blotches on their back. If you want a scaly companion, getting a corn snake as a pet can be a great idea for several reasons. Primarily, they’re less violent than most other snakes. They also grow to a manageable length of five feet and weigh no more than two pounds.

According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, you can find them in many parts of the United States, including Florida. As a pet owner, you need to provide conditions similar to those areas. Understanding the basics of a corn snake habitat is the first step in doing so.

In this entry, we’ll go through the most important corn snake habitat requirements, such as the temperature, substrate, and water.

What Is the Natural Habitat of Corn Snakes?

Corn snakes are native to the southeastern United States. Besides Florida, you can also find them in New Jersey, Kentucky, and Louisiana. Some of them have even made their way to the Virgin Islands, the Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas. They have also become a pest in Australia as an invasive introduced species.

Although regions where you can find a corn snake vary, they have many things in common that are conducive to corn snake breeding. For example, they prefer several types of terrain dotted across these areas:

• Deserted buildings
• Barns
• Plains and other open areas
• Meadows
• Hillsides and groves

Like most other reptiles, corn snakes are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and look for ideal temperatures throughout the day. However, temperatures that are favorable for them in daylight might not be as pleasant during the night.

A particularly significant metric is the basking temperature. This is the highest temperature corn snakes can endure without long-term consequences, and it stands at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything higher than that, and they might migrate to a different habitat. That’s why these animals generally look for shade during the day and are more comfortable at temperatures of around 75-82 degrees Fahrenheit.

At night, corn snakes tolerate temperatures of up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

When it comes to humidity, it’s as important as average temperature. Optimal conditions allow the reptile to breathe comfortably and reduce the risk of health issues associated with heavy breathing. In general, corn snakes thrive in environments with 40%-60% relative humidity.

Essential Elements of a Corn Snake Terrarium

Whether you have a baby or a grown corn snake, making sure it’s safe and cozy should be your top priority. To maximize comfort, your corn snake terrarium should include the following elements:

The Terrarium Itself

The first aspect we need to discuss when considering what a proper corn snake habitat needs is the terrarium itself. Since this will be the home of your pet, it must be optimal to promote growth and good health.

The main factor is the size. Make sure the terrarium tank has no less than 40 gallons in volume. This gives them ample room to move around, mimicking the conditions in their natural habitat.

Additionally, your corn snake enclosure should be transparent. It’s the only way for the animal to receive enough light. Plus, it allows you to monitor your pet more easily.

Don’t forget to mount a lockable screen lid. Whenever you take your snake out and put it back in, it gives you peace of mind, knowing your pet corn snake can’t escape the cage.

Those are the perfect conditions for most adult corn snakes, but what about babies? The good news is that there aren’t many significant differences. The only aspect you may need to change is the size of the hinged doors. Typically, these will need to be slightly smaller than standard models to eliminate the risk of the baby slithering through. You can also consider a smaller tank overall because it allows you to check up on your scaly friend without straining your eyes.

Substrate

Next up is the substrate. This is an essential requirement, as it plays a pivotal role in maintaining the optimal body temperature of corn snakes. Namely, these creatures draw most of their heat from the surrounding soil, which is why you’ll need to be sure you have the right substrate.

A number of options are available, but most corn snake breeders opt for aspen. This type of bedding is great for snakes that like burrowing, and corn snakes fall into this category. Having a substrate that promotes this activity is especially critical for young snakes since they burrow for protection, exploration, or when agitated. So, don’t be afraid to go three or four inches deep.

Although aspen reigns supreme in most people’s eyes, an array of other bedding types might be a good fit. Here are a few potential solutions and their key features:

• Cypress mulch, paper-based bedding, and coconut husk – These are an excellent choice since they’re relatively resistant to molding. However, if you take this route, you need to set up a separate feeding station away from the substrate. That’s because the snake may ingest some of the bedding, leading to various health issues.
• Moss blends – You can find countless moss blends for corn snake terrariums, all of which promote ideal living conditions. The texture feels amazing, and it invites your pet to incubate eggs and dig holes. Furthermore, it increases humidity, which is perfect if you’re struggling to achieve optimal levels.
• Palm bark and oak mixtures – Oak shavings are another popular alternative. You can find them pretty much anywhere, making this an affordable investment. They’re often paired with palm bark to facilitate aeration and spruce up the environment with a tropical touch.

Whatever alley you take, don’t forget that bedding requires thorough maintenance. Most types should be replaced at least once every 7-14 days. Otherwise, the soil gets saturated with water and other contaminants, resulting in mold. Your animal could get seriously ill if it consumes infested shavings.

Finally, you should avoid some forms of substrate at all costs. Cedar and pine wood shavings are on top of the list. The oils they release shortly after you place them in the cage don’t mesh with the sensitive skin of corn snakes.

Temperature and Humidity

As previously discussed, corn snakes prefer habitats with approximately 40%-60% relative humidity. Regarding the temperature, it shouldn’t exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day or dip below 75 degrees Fahrenheit at night. But here’s another pivotal aspect – you should divide your tank into two zones.

One region should be slightly cooler (75-82 degrees Fahrenheit), and the other should be warm (82-85 degrees Fahrenheit and a basking zone no hotter than 90 degrees Fahrenheit). Your pet will thank you because it’ll be able to cool down and stay warm at will.

To keep your reptilian friend comfy, you’ll probably need to install a few heating solutions. Over-tank and under-tank are two of the most common options. The latter may be the better choice because it most closely replicates the way snakes reach normal body temperatures in natural habitats. It’s also safer and easy to mount.

Come nighttime, you should turn off your heating device to provide optimal conditions for adult snakes. Young snakes also prefer cooler settings, but hatchlings are slightly different in this respect. A general rule of thumb is to keep nighttime temperatures at around 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit all day long to accommodate a hatchling’s delicate nature.

Lastly, a great idea is to boost your tank with a probe thermometer. You should also connect your heating device to a thermostat to ensure consistency, keep the animal comfortable, and achieve perfect temperatures more easily.

Hiding and Climbing Spots

While the ideal corn snake habitat temperature range should be your priority, don’t forget about another crucial aspect – climbing spots. If there’s one thing these reptiles love just as feeding and basking in optimal temperatures, it’s climbing.

Setting up a playground shouldn’t be too difficult. A few twigs placed here and there invite your pet to move around the tank rather than sit idle in one corner.

But keep in mind that there may come a time when your snake might want to do just that. This usually happens if they feel threatened and their anti-predator instinct kicks in. The onus is on you to give them plenty of hiding spots in the form of rocks, burrow-friendly substrate, artificial foliage, and wood shavings.

Most people place one hideout on the cool side and one on the warm side of the tank. It gives the animal a greater sense of security and privacy while following its temperature proclivities.

Water and Feeding

You should equip the tank with a steady supply of water, so your pet can sate its thirst whenever it wants. Put a clean water bowl in the cool part of the cage and only fill it halfway to lower the chances of spills.

When it comes to feeding, baby snakes should eat once every five to seven days. Adults are perfectly fine with one meal every 10-14 days. Whether you feed them euthanized mice, quails, squirrels, or other rodents, they should be thoroughly defrosted and warmed up to room temperature. Small snakes can usually handle only baby mice. In general, the food needs to be slightly wider than the snake is at its midpoint, or you risk underfeeding it.

Some snakes can catch and eat live mice, but this is heavily discouraged due to costs and potential health and safety risks for the snake.

Lighting in a Corn Snake Terrarium

To achieve a realistic day/night schedule, you need robust lighting. So, install a lamp on top of the cage and keep it on for 10-12 hours per day. You should also utilize a timer to manage the daytime/nighttime cycle automatically.

An array of lighting options is viable:

• UVA to regulate mating and feeding
• UVB to synthesize vitamin D3
• UVC to kill bacteria

UV Lighting: Optional but Recommended

UV lights aren’t mandatory, but here’s why they make sense:

• Improving corn snakes’ appetite
• Keeping the snake active
• Providing vivid colors of the body

When installing a UV light bulb, place it in a reflective housing. It should also be near your heat source (around 10 inches above the basking zone if there’s a mesh and 13 inches if not).

Behavioral Considerations in Terrarium Setup

The reason setting up a corn snake habitat is so lengthy is that you need to provide a setting that promotes natural behavior patterns. Once the terrarium is up and running, your pet should be able to:

• Eat and drink regularly
• Hide and climb
• Breed and/or lay eggs

Maintenance of a Corn Snake Terrarium

A fully functional corn snake terrarium is finally in place. But don’t put your feet up just yet. You still need to maintain the habitat to keep your pet healthy. Here’s how:

• Remove urine and feces as soon as you notice them.
• Spot-clean the tank every day with hot water and a reptile-friendly disinfectant. Wipe the cleaning solution away with a paper towel.
• Replace the substrate every three to four weeks or whenever it looks damp.
• Replace a dirty water dish with a new one. 

Cultivate a Healthy Environment for Your Corn Snake with a Quality Cage

Having a corn snake as your pet is exciting, but don’t bring the animal home until you create adequate conditions. To get a high-quality terrarium, buy the right substrate, control the ambient temperature with a heater, and make sure there’s enough food and water. Don’t forget to monitor your pet and seek professional help if you notice anything abnormal.

Also, you’ll probably need a few exotic pet supplies to keep your friend comfortable. Quality Cage comes to the rescue to create a perfect corn snake habitat.

We are the top exotic pet store in the country, with products for a wide variety of species. Head to our website, and you’ll find a range of products to make your animals thrive, including tanks, food, treats, herbs, and medical supplies.

FAQs

What kind of habitat do corn snakes need?

Corn snakes need a relatively warm habitat with average temperatures of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The relative humidity of a corn snake enclosure should also be approximately 40%-60%.

What do I need for a corn snake setup?

You need a number of elements to set up a fully functional and comfortable corn snake habitat. The list includes a deep tank, sufficient lighting, a heating pad, a thermometer, substrate, climbing spots, and a water bowl.

What should a corn snake habitat look like?

A corn snake habitat should replicate the natural conditions of a forest or grassland floor this species favors. The temperature should be about 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and around 75 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Relative humidity of 40%-60%, a water source, and climbing areas are also required.

Do corn snakes need live mice?

No. You don’t need to feed corn snakes live mice. Although they can eat live prey, and some snakes heavily prefer it, mice tend to fight back and often have parasites that can seriously threaten your pet. Frozen mice (or other suitable animals like quails or rats) are cheaper, safer, and easier to store until they’re needed.

Questions?

Have Questions About Corn Snake Habitat and Care?

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